Parish Council
| Ex Officio: Reverend Edwin L. Sanchez |
| Chair: Guadalupe Hernandez |
| Vice Chair: Terri Keefer |
| Secretary: Rosa Vargas |
| Jenny James |
| Rocio Badger |
| John Hashberger |
| Mike Dulley |
Finance Council
| Ex Officio: Reverend Edwin L. Sanchez |
| Chair: Linda Carroll |
| Vice Chair: Mike Dulley |
| Secretary: J. Ann Peltier |
| Stuart Conser |
| Barbara Krochta |
| Elaine Kruger-Young |
| Cathy Cooper |
| Terry Klein |
| Alan Huster |
Reports
Strategic Plan
What is a Strategic Plan?
A Strategic Plan communicates guiding vision and sense of direction for the Parish to its members, staff, friends and benefactors. While it is a living document subject to ongoing revision, it sets priorities and guides day-to day decisions for professional staff and lay volunteer parish leaders alike. Culminating in joint work of the Pastoral and Finance Councils, it includes the Parish Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Goals articulating the Visions, and Strategies with timelines to achieve those Goals.
Vision Statement
We, the people of St. Mary’s Parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, envision a Christ centered, welcoming community enriched by the gifts of a diverse heritage and continuing to grow in personal and communal holiness through sharing and living the Gospel message.
Mission Statement
We, the people of St. Mary’s Parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in the spirit of faith, service and community, strive to bring people closer together and closer to God, to know our faith, to live by truth and love, to serve the needs of other, to teach by example, and thereby, unify, strengthen and inspire our diverse parish family.
Parish Characteristics
St. Mary’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help was established in 1885 in the small railroad town of Albany, Oregon. Modeled after an abbey church in France, the second church building was dedicated in 1898 and soon followed the establishment of a parish school. This historic church served the community until it was destroyed by an arson fire in 1989. The third and current church was built over the next few years and officially opened in 1992. Due to economic/financial issues which unfortunately affected many parish schools around the nation, St. Mary’s school closed in 2013.
The growing Hispanic community in Albany during the early 1990’s led to the establishment of St. Mary’s Hispanic ministry. St. Mary’s has a diverse membership which is welcoming and inclusive.
St. Mary’s continues to have a special commitment to the needs of the poor and especially the homeless; and has a long history of working with other faith communities to address poverty. This has been manifested in the community meals/soup kitchen program which was established in the early 1980’s and continues today.
Vision & Goals
I. Liturgy
We the people of St. Mary’s OLPH will provide a Christ centered liturgy to engage and transform people utilizing music, hospitality, and a consistent Mass experience with committed liturgical ministers who are provided with ongoing training and support.
Goal (What): By 2023 OLPH will have a full-time music director and trained assistant directors that have increased participation in choirs by 200%. Choir participants will have diverse sets of skills with instruments and vocals. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Appoint an ad hoc committee to formulate a recommendation about the feasibility to organize the music liturgy with a lead coordinator and assistant coordinators for each mass. | Music Director (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Liturgy Committee (C)Music ministers (I) | July 2019 | Pending |
| Ad hoc committee to explore organizational options with other parishes, faith communities; seek feedback from current music ministers, formulate recommendation, identify budget impact, and forward recommendation to Pastor/Administrator. | Ad hoc committee (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager/Budget committee (C)Liturgy Committee (I) | September 2019 | Pending |
| Appoint assistants. | Pastor/Administrator (R and A)Liturgy Committee (C)Music ministers and parish (I) | October 2019 | Pending |
| Lead music coordinator and assistants formulate operational plan for the music ministry that includes but is not limited to recruitment of choir members, diversity of music and instruments. Identify opportunities for children such as passing out small percussion instruments to children for the recessional song at mass. | Lead Coordinator (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Liturgy Committee and music ministers (C)Parish (I) | January 2020 | Pending |
Goal (What): By 2023 OLPH will have children participate in the liturgy at every weekend mass. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Send the children to hear the readings at every weekend mass with the priest providing a short summary of what they will be hearing by recruiting and training volunteers to cover each mass. | Liturgist (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Sacristan (C)Parish (I) | October 2020 | Pending |
| One time per month offer a children’s mass where children fully participate in the mass by doing the readings, gifts, collection, music. The homily will be at a child’s understanding level. | Liturgist/RE Coordinator (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Sacristan (C)Parish (I) | October 2022 | Pending |
Goal (What): By 2023 OLPH will have one bilingual mass every weekend with Spanish/English translation materials. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Conduct a six-month trial offering a fully bilingual mass on the first Sunday of each month at the 11:00 a.m. mass. Provide a social after the bilingual mass that provides food from Hispanic and Anglo cultures. Provide translation materials for homily, readings etc. Bilingual mass ministers including greeters.Pre-teach format to parishioners. | Liturgist (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Liturgy Committee (C)Parish (I) | January 2020 | Pending |
| Evaluate trial and determine feasibility to offer a bilingual mass every weekend. | Liturgist (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Liturgy Committee (C)Parish (I) | September 2020 | Pending |
Goal (What): By 2023 OLPH will have a sacred space that conforms with the norms of the Catholic Church while honoring the history of OLPH and reflective of the parish community. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Develop an adult education series focused on each piece of sacred art currently owned by OLPH. | RE Director (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Liturgy Committee (C)Parish (I) | January 2021 | Pending |
| Develop an annual event to introduce the sacred art at OLPH to the broader community of faith communities, artist, general public. | Pastoral Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)RE Director (C)Parish (I) | September 2022 | Pending |
| Convene a committee of parishioners, diocese experts to evaluate the sacred space at OLPH for conformance with the norms of the Catholic Church. Based on the evaluation issue a report to the Pastoral Council with recommendations. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Liturgy Committee (C)Parish (I) | January 2023 | Pending |
II. Community Building
We the people of OLPH will strive to be recognized in the greater Albany area as an inviting, welcoming community where its members can grow in spirituality; and be known as an involved parish participating in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Goal (What):Create an organizational structure to generate ideas and execute those ideas to drive community engagement within the parish by identifying a committee of 5-10 individuals that include one staff and one parish council member to become the central point of information and recruiting for volunteer activities. Initial formation by July 1, 2019 and fully functional by October 1, 2019. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Identify Staff and Pastoral Council individuals to take responsibility | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Pastoral Council Chair (C)Pastoral Council (I) | Jan 2020 | Pending |
| Two core individuals identify and plan how many people are required and create a recruitment plan | Core individuals (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Pastoral Council Chair (C)Pastoral Council (I) | Feb 2020 | Pending |
| Hold initial committee meeting of all and re-evaluate committee size / needs and add additional people as required | Core individuals (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Pastoral Council Chair (C)Pastoral Council (I) | June 2020 | Pending |
| Report to Pastoral Council on status and brainstorm ideas for moving forward | Core individuals (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Pastoral Council Chair (C)Pastoral Council (I) | August 2020 | Pending |
| All volunteers and committee in place with meetings scheduled for the remainder of the fiscal year and with guidance and concrete ideas on the plan | Core individuals (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Pastoral Council Chair (C)Pastoral Council (I) | January 2021 | Pending |
Goal (What):Create an organizational structure to provide oversight and guidance to the operations of St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Identify Staff and Finance/Pastoral Council individuals to take responsibility and create a charter for an oversight committee | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Pastoral/Finance Council Chairs (C)Pastoral/Finance Councils (I) | July 2019 Sept 2019Anne P –FC rep | Pending |
| Two core individuals identify and plan how many people and skills required for the committee membership. | Core individuals (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Pastoral Council Chair (C)Pastoral Council (I) | September 2019 | Pending |
| Hold initial committee meeting of all and re-evaluate committee size / needs and add additional people as required | Core individuals (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Pastoral Council Chair (C)Pastoral Council (I) | October 2019 | Pending |
Goal (What):Foster ecumenism among local faith communities in the broader Albany area. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Invite other faith communities to educational events sponsored by OLPH and encourage OLPH parishioners to participate in events of other faith communities. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Pastoral Council (C)Parish (I) | January 2020 | Pending |
| OLPH clergy participate in local ministerial associations on a regular basis. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Pastoral Council (C)Parish (I) | September 2019 | Pending |
III. Finance
We the people of OLPH will achieve financial security and become a self-sustaining parish to better serve our community.
Goal (What): Develop an annual proposed operations budget adopted in May every year which includes budget conversations with each ministry during February-March with proposed budget in April. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Budget conversations with each ministry. (List of ministries in Ministries Booklet). | Budget Subcommittee (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C)Finance Council (I) | Feb-Mar, 2019,Should follow-up yearly | completed |
| Proposed budget. | Budget Subcommittee (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C)Finance Council (I) | May, 2019June 2019And yearly | Pending |
| Monthly budget report in the bulletin. | Budget Subcommittee (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C)Finance Council (I) | Beginning July 1, 2019Oct 2019-with stewardship month | Pending |
Goal (What): Complete a presentation to the Pastoral and Finance Councils by risk management staff from the Archdiocese by June 30, 2019 to establish financial policies and procedures by [DATE]. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Contact Archdiocese to set up meeting/presentation. | Business Manager (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Finance Council (I) | June 30, 2019Jan 2020 | Pending |
| Outline of what the Archdiocese Risk Management process. | Finance Council (R) | Jan 2020 | Pending |
| Establish financial policies and procedures regarding risk management issues/recommendations. | Finance Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C)Staff and Councils (I) | Oct. 1, 2019 St Mary’s has been notified of RM visit from Archdiocese.Jan 2021 | Pending |
Goal (What): Develop a fundraising plan to raise budgeted fundraising income by June 30, 2020.
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Identify a Fundraising/event Coordinator | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Councils (C)Parish (I) | July, 2019 | Pending |
| Identify fundraising events in discussion with other Ministries. | Fundraising Coordinator (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Ministry Leads (C)Parish (I) | September, 2019 | Pending |
| Meet with groups who might be interested in supporting the fundraising events. | Fundraising Coordinator (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Ministry Leads (C)Parish (I) | Dec. 31, 2019 | Pending |
| Fundraising events | Ministry Leads (C)Parish (I) | Dec. 31, 2020 | Pending |
| Investigate potential to rent parish space | Finance Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C) | July-Dec, 2020 | Ongoing |
IV. Buildings and Grounds
We the people of OLPH will maintain its historically significant buildings and grounds and provide a physical environment that is comfortable and inviting.
Goal (What): Develop a Master Plan by December 31, 2019 for facilities and grounds to include use of school, houses, rectory and parking. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Move offices to school building. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff (C)Parish (I) | July 1, 2019 | In process |
| Discuss/adopt plan for move. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff (C)Parish (I) | May 1, 2019 | |
| Hire a moving company. | Business Manager (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Staff/Councils (I) | July 1, 2019 (or asap in coordination with move). | |
| Paint new office spaces as needed, install adult toilets, identify room usage, and identify parishioner space (coffee shop idea). | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff/Councils (C)Parish (I) | July 1, 2019 (in conjunction with move) | *review after move |
| Create a plan for what to do with rectory and houses. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff/Councils (C)Parish (I) | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
| Create a master list of activities and space needed. Identify spaces. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff/Councils (C) | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
| Upgrades and permanent rectory. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff/Councils (C)Parish (I) | June 30, 2020 | |
| Solve parking issues. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff/Councils (C)Parish (I) | ||
| Be more cognizant of not overlapping events to help alleviate parking issues. | Business Manager (R)Pastor/Administrator (A) | Ongoing | |
| Keep an eye on adjoining property that might become available. | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff/Councils (C) | Ongoing |
Goal (What): Develop facility use policies and procedures by June 30, 2020. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Check with the Risk Management group for already established policies. | Finance Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C)Councils (I) | January 2021 | |
| Write policies and procedures manual for facility use. | Finance Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C)Parish (I) | April, 2020 | |
| Policies for use for Ministries within the parish. | |||
| Policies for use for entities outside of parish (rental policies and spaces). |
Goal (What): Develop a Master Plan and budget for maintenance with timelines for maintenance and costs by June 30, 2020. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| After Master Plan is developed, determine a maintenance schedule and plan including staffing and costs. ( elevator inspections. Safety building inspections) | Finance Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C)Parish (I) | December 31, 2020 | |
| Building and maintenance.CarpetingRoofingHVACOther large itemsOperations. | Finance Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C)Parish (I) | December 31, 2020 | |
| Determine areas to remodel or repurpose and develop budget. | Finance Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Business Manager (C)Parish (I) | December 31, 2020 | |
| Assessment of our carbon footprint and ways to improve. |
V. Planning
We the people of St. Mary’s OLPH will be a mission-focused parish, striving continuously for improvement and growth in its capacity to proclaim and live the Gospel.
Goal (What): OLPH will achieve financial security and become a self-sustaining parish within 5 years by identifying and engaging volunteers to provide time, talent and treasure where and when needed. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Communicate to the parish the status of our finances monthly or quarterly: income and expenses, payroll and benefits, building and grounds, and utilities | Finance Council (R)Pastor/Administrator(A)Business Manager (C)Parish (I) | July 2019 | |
| Quantify volunteer hours and calculate financial benefit to parish by contacting each ministry and providing them with a form and instructions for reporting hours. | Finance Council (R)Pastor/Administrator(A)Business Manager (C)Parish (I) | September 2019 | |
| Implement annual stewardship month program | Stewardship committee (to be formed) (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Councils (C)Parish (I) | October 2019 | |
| Presentation / follow-up of what the 2019 Stewardship drive accomplished | Stewardship committee (to be formed) (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Councils (C)Parish (I) | July 2019 | |
| Highlight of ministries via presentations during Mass. | Pastoral Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Ministry Leads (C)Parish (I) | September 2019 |
Goal (What): St. Mary’s OLPH will implement a program [by date] that fosters open and continuous communication between parish community and church leadership by incorporating simple methods and seeking feedback. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Put a suggestion box in the Narthex | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff (C)Parish (I) | July 2019 | |
| Publish the Ministry Directory annually | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Staff (C)Parish (I) | September 2019 | |
| Continue and improve the Parish Directory, bulletins, Happenings, website, Facebook, and other media | Pastoral Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Staff (C)Parish (I) | Ongoing | |
| Increase and diversity OLPH presence on different digital and print platforms by establishing a communication plan. | Pastoral Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Staff (C)Parish (I) | October 2019 | |
| Start a bilingual welcome committee | Pastoral Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Staff (C)Parish (I) | January 2020 | |
| Investigate the possibility of an electronic reader board outside and/or new signage. | Pastoral Council (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Staff (C)Parish (I) | January 2021 |
Goal (What): OLPH will develop a stable staff of employees and volunteers that are responsive and engaged with the parish community and clergy who are fulfilled and fairly compensated, and have systems and people in place when change inevitably occurs. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform
| Action Step (How) | Responsible Person(s) (Who) | Due Date (When) | Status |
| Annual staff evaluations of functionality and job descriptions | Pastor/Administrator (R/A)Archdiocese HR (C)Staff (I) | August 2019 | |
| Establish staff and council retreats | Councils (R)Pastor/Administrator (A)Staff (C)Parish (I) | January 2020 | |
| Have a permanent pastor assigned to our parish | Archbishop (R/A)Councils (C)Parish (I) | 2022 |
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